Stopper Suttie is Heyside hero

Heyside’s Reece Hursthouse (Blue) challenges a Kirkheaton Rovers opponent with teammate Ryan Barnes looking on.

JACK Suttie’s penalty save was a turning point as Heyside moved to the top of the Huddersfield and District League’s First Division table.

With the score at 1-1, visitors to the Crompton House 4G Kirkheaton Rovers were awarded a spot-kick following an infringement by Heyside defender Josh Briddon.

But the impressive Suttie produced a magnificent save to keep Heyside level.

Jordan Aird had given Heyside the lead midway through the first half with a volley high into the net following a Daniel Dunn flag-kick.

Plucky Kirkheaton levelled matters on the half-hour mark, and there was a sense then that they might go on to get something out of the game.

Heyside were far from their best, something which manager Geoff Howard found difficult to explain.

He said: “We were nowhere near where we wanted to be and for whatever reason we just didn’t get it together.

“Kirkheaton competed really well and to get a win on an off-day was good.

“Looking ahead, we are halfway through the season, top of the league and we are in good shape for the games to come.

“Jack’s save was really important to us, and he had plenty to do as well.”

Chris Ollerton’s thunderous drive from 20 yards following a neat interchange of passes with Dunn restored Heyside’s advantage after 59 minutes. It was 3-1 eight minutes later when James Leonard hammered the ball home after a Reece Hursthouse effort had been parried by the Kirkheaton goalkeeper.

The visitors reduced the deficit with 15 minutes to go, but Heyside held firm.

HEYSIDE: Suttie, Schofield, Cashin, Briddon, Smithies, Hursthouse, Ollerton, Barnes, Dunn, Aird, Leonard. Subs: Wooliscroft, Perry, Harrop.